When Waterfell first arrived, I took a brief look at it and automatically assumed that it was about mermaids. Generally, I tend to avoid books about mermaid because I have yet to read one that I actually enjoyed. But I decided to give Waterfell a chance, and it surprised me. It wasn’t about mermaids like I unfairly assumed, but about sea creatures.
Nerissa Marin is the heir to an underwater kingdom, but after her father is brutally killed, she is forced to find refuge on land and hide amongst the humans. She’s been in hiding for some time, getting used to high school life and even striking up a close friendship. As Nerissa comes closer to coming of age, life becomes more dangerous. Ehmora, the woman who killed her father and took over the kingdom, is looking to eradicate Nerissa once and for all. All the while, Nerissa is confused about her increasingly romantic feelings for a certain human boy.
Waterfell had a lot going for it, but its biggest problem is that it’s so downright predictable. I knew from the first chapters what was going to go down at the end and what the major revelations would be. There’s one revelation that took me by the surprise, but the one that’s supposed to really surprise readers can be seen from miles away. I had hoped while reading that the plot would go in a different direction, but it didn’t. I like formula occasionally, especially when peppered with an interesting world and characters, and Waterfell hasn’t quite nailed that yet. However, I can see the next book in The Aquarathi series has that promise of world-building and character development.
Despite its flaws, I did manage to enjoy Waterfell for the most part. I was happy that it went with sea creatures over mermaids. It gave the story the unique twist it needed and sets it apart from other underwater adventures. The characters are nice too. Readers will undoubtedly love Nerissa’s friend, Jenna, and think Lo and Nerissa’s funny arrogance make them a perfect couple. There’s chemistry between the two, and that’s one of the reasons that kept me reading.
Waterfell could’ve been a better start to the series. I hope the second book improves upon the first, deviates from formula, and finally world builds on what could be an amazing underwater kingdom. Even though it is predictable, this book still manages to be different from other romantic YA series. Whether it’s worth a read is highly dependent on where the series takes us next. Even with my lukewarm feelings about Waterfell, I’m curious enough to give the sequel, Oceanborn, a chance.
Rating: 6/10
Waterfell by Amalie Howard will be available wherever books are sold on October 29, 2013.
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Book Info:
Publisher: Harlequin Teen (October 29, 2013)
Length: 304 pages (Paperback)
Series: The Aquarathi #1
Source: Advance Reader Copy (Provided by publisher)
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Completed: September 2013
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